JPH03102588A - Reader writer for ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the malfunction of a loading mechanism by providing an IC card inserting part, an IC card engaging mechanism, an IC card loading mechanism, an IC card insertion time detecting optical sensor, and a loading mechanism control means. CONSTITUTION:When an IC card 31 is inserted into the inserting part 23, the engaging mechanisms 27A, 27B engage the IC card 31 at an engaging position. Then, the insertion time of the IC card is detected previously by the optical sensor 43, and the control means draws in this IC card 31 from the engaging position to a terminal connecting position by operating the loading mechanism when it decides it to be normal insertion. Thus, both terminals are connected by constant force, and simultaneously, the malfunction of the loading mechanism is prevented. Besides, the loading mechanism is constituted of a solenoid 42, ratchet members 27A, 27B, and springs 29A, 29B.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industry> Second Field of Application> Prior Art> In conventional IC cards, the terminal position for connection to the connector of the reader/writer is formed on the side wall of the tip of the rectangular plastic card. (For example, an IC card described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-58594).

However, when a plurality of bottle-shaped terminals are provided protruding from the side wall of the end of the card in this way, when the insertion and removal force of the card varies depending on the card user, the terminal on the reader/writer side is directly affected by the insertion and removal force. There is a risk of damaging it. Furthermore, there is a risk that the pin terminals on the card side may also be damaged due to excessive insertion/extraction force.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application proposed the previous application (
The following proposal was made in Patent Application No. 83645 (1999).

That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the bin connector 5 that comes into contact with the contact terminal 4 of the electronic card 1 is supported by a spring. In addition, a door switch 11 is provided on the door 6 for opening and closing the card insertion slot 3.

Therefore, when the electronic card 1 is inserted through the insertion slot 3,
The tip of the electronic card 1 contacts the ejectors 7a and 7b,
The electronic card 1 is
Push back in the 3 directions of the insertion slot.

At this time, the door switch 11 is turned on, and the electromagnet 9a
, 9b are energized. A metal plate 10 fixed to the tip of the electronic card 1 is attracted by the electromagnets 9a and 9b,
It is adsorbed. As a result, the contact terminal 4 of the electronic card 1 is connected to the pin connector 5 of the reader/writer 2 with a constant force. Then, the contact switch 12 is turned on, and data is written to or read from the card.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, in the IC cart reader/writer according to the prior application, since the presence or absence of insertion of the card 1 was detected by the toe switch 11, incorrect insertion of the card could occur. However, there was a problem in that the electromagnet 9 could operate even if the For example, if the cart is once inserted through the insertion port 3 and then pulled out, the electromagnet will malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an IC card reader/writer that detects the normal insertion state (operation) of a card and operates a loading mechanism.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention provides an IC card reader/writer that writes and/or reads data when connected to an IC cart. a locking mechanism that locks the inserted IC card in a locking position; a loading mechanism that pulls the IC card from the locking position to a terminal connection position;
The present invention provides an IC card reader/writer comprising an optical sensor means for detecting the insertion time of the card, and a control means for operating the loading mechanism based on the insertion time.

<Function> In the IC card reader/writer according to the present invention, I
When the C card is inserted into the insertion section, the locking mechanism locks the IC card in the locking position. Then, the insertion time of this IC card is detected by the optical sensor means, and when the control means determines that the insertion is normal, it moves the loading mechanism from the locking position to the terminal connection position. Insert this IC card. This allows the terminals to be connected to each other with a constant force, and also prevents the loading mechanism from malfunctioning.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of an IC card reader/writer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an IC card reader/writer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the IC card.

As shown in these figures, the reader/writer 21 has a rectangular box-shaped case 22, and an insertion opening 23 into which an IC card 31 is inserted is formed in one side wall of the case 22. A case 2 is placed inside this insertion port 23.
An insertion path having a constant width and a constant length is formed along the length direction X of 2.

A connector head 24 is fixed to this case 22 at a certain depth position from the insertion port 23 in this insertion path, and a plurality of connector bins 25 are attached to this connector head 24.
protrudes toward the insertion port 23. A connection terminal of an IC power lead 31 is brought into contact with and connected to this connector pin 25.

A microphone port computer 26 (not shown in FIG. 1) is connected to the connector bin 25. This microcomputer 26 has a well-known configuration and includes a CPU, RA. M, has ROM.

The reader/writer 21 uses these microcomputers 2
6 allows electrical writing/reading to and from the built-in memory of the IC power supply 31.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the reader/writer 21 has a pair of claws on both sides of the inner part of the insertion path so as to be rotatable within the plane of the inserted IC card 31. Member 27A
, 27B are provided.

These pawl members 27A, 27B are rotatably provided around shafts 28A, 28B, and one end of each of them is locked to a spring 29A, 29B, respectively.

The spring 29A urges the claw member 27A clockwise in FIG. 1, and the spring 29B urges the claw member 27B counterclockwise in the same figure. Note that the other ends of these claw members 27A, 27B are latched to a notch (described later) of the IC card 31 inserted into the insertion path.

Note that the positions of these claw members 27A, 27B in the depth direction with respect to the insertion path are different from each other. This prevents the IC card from being inserted upside down depending on whether or not the IC cart can be locked when the IC cart 31 is inserted.

Further, a plate 41 is movably supported in the case 22 along the extending direction X of the insertion path, and when this plate 41 slides in the same direction X by a solenoid 42, it opposes the springs 29A and 29B. The claw members 27A and 27B are configured to rotate simultaneously.

Furthermore, an optical sensor 43 is fixed at a predetermined position above the insertion path of the case 22ζ. Ahead sensor 4
3 is constituted by a reflective photocoupler in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged side by side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the IC card 31 has a pair of notches 32A and 32B on both sides of the tip side (terminal placement portion). The claw members 27A, 27B are respectively engaged with these notches 32A, 32B.

Further, a rectangular non-reflective portion (black colored portion) 33 is provided on the surface of the IC card 31 adjacent to the opening 32A. Note that the IC card 31 other than this non-reflective portion 33
The surface is formed by a metal reflector, for example.

The distance A from the tip to this non-conforming part 33 is I
It is set to be considerably longer than the length B of the non-reflective portion 33 in the length direction of the C card 31 (A>>
B).

The optical sensor 43 is disposed at a position corresponding to the non-reflective portion 33 so that the non-reflective portion 33 can be detected.

Therefore, the insertion port 23 and the insertion path constitute an insertion portion of the IC card 31, and the claw members 2 disposed on both sides of the insertion path
Reference numerals 7A and 27B constitute a locking mechanism that locks the IC card 31 in a locking position (dotted chain line position in FIG. 1) when the IC card 31 is inserted. The loading mechanism that pulls the IC power lead 31 from the locking position to the terminal connection position (solid line position in Figure 1) includes the solenoid 42 and its drive circuit 51, as well as the
Claw members 27A, 27B and springs 29A, 29B
It is composed of etc.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control section in this reader/writer 21. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a part of the photodetection circuit.

In this figure, the microcomputer 26 receives signals from the photodetection circuit 44 connected to the optical sensor 43, and controls timer A45, timer B46, and timer C47. Further, the solenoid drive circuit 51 is controlled by the microcomputer 26.

As described above, the optical sensor 43 disposed in the insertion section (above the insertion path) and its optical detection circuit 44 constitute optical sensor means for detecting the insertion time of the IC card 31. In addition, the microcomputer 26, timer A4
5. Timer B46, timer C47, and solenoid F
The drive circuit δ1 as a whole constitutes control means for operating the loading mechanism (claw member 27, etc.) based on this insertion time.

In the reader/writer 21 having the above configuration, when the IC card 31 is inserted, the IC card 31 is locked at the locking position. At this time, the optical sensor 43 detects the insertion time, and if the insertion is normal, the loading mechanism is operated to pull the IC cart 31 into the terminal connection position. If it is determined that the insertion is not normal, for example, if the card is removed immediately after insertion, the inserting mechanism will not operate.

The flowchart in FIG.
The operation procedure for detecting insertion and retraction of the IC card 31 in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the output of the photocoupler 43 when the IC power supply 31 is inserted.

As shown in this flowchart), when the photocoupler 43 is turned on by inserting the IC card 31 (YES in step 561), the timers A4i5, -11 = timers 134G and C47 are started simultaneously (step S62, the seventh (tO in the figure). In this case, each timer 45, 46, 47 has a set time of 30, for example.
ms, 60 ms, 90 ms, and so on.

Next, check whether the timer A45 has counted up or not. In step S63, YES, tl. ), check whether the photo sensor 43 is ON or not (step S64). If the photosensor 43 is OFF at this time t1, it is assumed that the insertion is abnormally fast or that it has already been removed, and the process returns (if NO in step S64, the process ends).

If the photo sensor 43 is ○N (YES in step S64)
S), it is checked whether timer B has counted up (step S65). Wait until it counts up (
t2), it is checked whether the photo sensor 43 is OFF (step 866).

At this time point t2, if the photosensor 43 is not OFF, it is determined that the insertion state is abnormal (for example, insertion has stopped), and the process ends.

-12 As shown in FIG. 7, the photo sensor 43 is turned ON (rHJ) by inserting the IC card 31, and when A time has elapsed after insertion, the photo sensor 43 is turned OFF (.rLJ) by the non-reflective part 33. It is what it is.

Next, if the photo sensor 43 is OFF at time t2, wait for the timer C47 to count up, and if the photo sensor 43 is ON at time t3 (YES at step S68).
), the solenoid 42 is turned on by the solenoid drive circuit 51 (step S69). As a result, the IC card 31 locked at the locking position is pulled into the terminal connection position by the rotation of the claw members 27A, 27B. Thereafter, data is exchanged with the IC card 31 by the reader/writer 21. In this case, the solenoid 42 is driven at a constant speed by the solenoid drive circuit 514 to move the pawl member 27A,
Since 27B is rotated, the contact force between the terminals is constant and damage to the terminals is prevented.

Regarding the insertion and withdrawal of the IC card 31 as described above, it goes without saying that the IC card itself may be locked with a claw and inserted into the bow, or the IC card may be pulled in using a carrier.

Further, in the above embodiments, an IC card has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a so-called memory card that does not have a CPU.

<Effects> As described above, according to the present invention, when an IC card is inserted, the terminals are connected with each other with a certain force, thereby preventing damage to the terminals, and also preventing malfunction of the loading mechanism due to insertion. You can also do it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an IC card reader/writer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an IC card reader/writer according to an embodiment, and FIG. The figure is also a plan view showing an IC cart according to an embodiment -13--14-, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a part of the photodetection circuit, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a part of the light detection circuit.・Figure 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the photodetector circuit, and Figure 8 is a partially cutaway plan view of the connection terminal between the IC card and the reader/writer according to the earlier application. The figure is: 2l...Reader/writer, 23...
...Insertion port, 26...◆...Ma. Iku mouth computer, 27A, 27B...claw member (locking mechanism), 3 1
・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ IC card, 42・・・・・・・・・So■nonoid, 43...
...... Optical sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An IC card reader/writer that writes and/or reads data to and from an IC card, comprising an insertion section into which the IC card is inserted, and an IC card inserted into the insertion section. a locking mechanism that locks in the stop position;
A loading mechanism that pulls the IC card from the locking position to the terminal connection position, an optical sensor means that is disposed in the insertion section and detects the insertion time of the IC card, and a control that operates the loading mechanism based on the insertion time. An IC card reader/writer characterized by comprising: means.